Here's how the story goes....
I picked up this '90 Ranger, 2.3 standard. Apparently it goes through starters on a regular basis. When I got it, when I'd try to start it the starter would crank but wouldn't engage. Starter is brand new and I checked it and it functions fine. So it was determined I needed a new flywheel. Put in a new (used) flywheel and.... After a bunch of horrible grinding noises and such it started. I parked it and tried again and same thing. Starter spins but won't engage. Checked it again and it seems to work fine. Bendix spins and comes out and everything.

So it seems to me, and I could be wrong, that the Bendix isn't extending far enough to engage or the flywheel is too far forward for some reason.

What do y'all think?

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'95 2.3L, 2WD, 5 Speed. No A/C, no power locks, no power windows, no power steering; but it has a turbo.

Alright. So I got to looking at another starter from supposedly another '90 Ranger and they looked quite different, the other being quite a bit smaller. However it looked like it had a bigger Bendix. So... I switched the starter and the wiring because it was also different. I touched off the solenoid with a screwdriver and voila! It now cranks super smooth without grinding noises. However, somewhere in switching wiring I messed something up. I have zero power. No lights, no horn, nothing.

What I think it is was a little wire on the old battery connector. There were two, the big cable going to the solenoid and this little one going under the dash somewhere. For some dumb reason I yanked on it instead of seeing where it went first. Now with the dash all tore apart I can't find where it went. It was half coaxial cable anyway so I was planning on replacing it but where do I go?

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I should note that all the fuses look good as well.

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'95 2.3L, 2WD, 5 Speed. No A/C, no power locks, no power windows, no power steering; but it has a turbo.

Well I'm actually kind of glad nobody was too interested in this thread because I figgered it out on my own. Don't wanna tell anybody what the second problem was though but I will say this. If you hook up the connections on the solenoid backwards you won't have any power.

Now after all that, my radio doesn't turn on. No power to the accessory wire but I think I can handle this one on my own...

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'95 2.3L, 2WD, 5 Speed. No A/C, no power locks, no power windows, no power steering; but it has a turbo.

Don't think no one is interested!

I've been following this thread, but got confused by your explanation that I didn't want to look like a D.A. for jumping in.

Glad you found your problem, but let me throw this to you. CB radios and many aftermarket radios have a little safety feature in them.

They put in a diode to blow the fuse if something gets hooked up backwards. It sucks sometimes, but it saves the item. If I had a dollar for every time I replaced that fuse and/or diode, I'd be rich and retired.

Share your findings, or don't. Help your brothers or not. Just remember, we'll remember you too.

I'm saying this in the nicest way possible. I'm not an English major myself, but I'll spend stupid time helping someone with something I'm really good at if it helps.

Now if you want AN OPINION.......

I have mine like everyone else.

Electronics Tech

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2005 2.3L XL 5SOD 3.73 K&N
KYB Shocks Husky Toolbox
Alpine / Rockford Fosgate Sound

"Ask me about my AC Vent fix!"

Hey thanks Mike. I was mostly joking about not saying what the second issue was. Like I said, if you hook up the cables on the solenoid backwards you won't have any power. (That's what my problem was. I just didn't want to look stupid for creating my own problem.) I also understand how easily things get confused through words on the internet or through text especially when one is trying to be sarcastic. I apologize, I hope this helps somebody...

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'95 2.3L, 2WD, 5 Speed. No A/C, no power locks, no power windows, no power steering; but it has a turbo.